Chester, Virginia Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Chester, Virginia is 23,519 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 50th-largest city in Virginia. The median household income is $88,455, the median home value is $290,600, and the median age is 41.2.
23,519
Population
1787
People / sq mi
$88,455
Median Income
$290,600
Median Home Value
Chester covers 13.2 sq mi of land at 1787 people per square mile.
About Chester, VA
Chester is a city in Virginia with a population of 23,519. It ranks #50 among cities in Virginia by population. The median age is 41.2, older than the national median. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
The median household income in Chester is $88,455, above the US median of $74,580. 6.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $290,600, with monthly rent averaging $1,463. The homeownership rate of 72.9% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Chester reflects 32.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 16.1% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 28.5 minutes each way.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 56.2% |
| Black or African American | 28.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$88,455
Median Household Income
$39,983
Per Capita Income
6.9%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$290,600
Median Home Value
$1,463
Median Rent
72.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
92.8%
High School+
32.6%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.8%
Drive Alone
73.3%
Public Transit
16.1%
Work From Home
28.5 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
34.8%
Foreign Born
90.6%
Non-English at Home
10.3%
Veterans
11.0%
With Disability
94.8%
Health Insurance
96.2%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 20.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.4% |
| Public Administration | 10.2% |
| Information | 9.0% |
| Manufacturing | 8.9% |
| Construction | 8.4% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 6.7% |
| Retail Trade | 6.5% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.3% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.3% |
Largest cities in Virginia
Largest counties in Virginia
Part of Virginia
Metro areas in Virginia
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Chester, Virginia has a population of 23,519 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 50th-largest city in Virginia.
The median household income in Chester, Virginia is $88,455, with 6.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Chester, Virginia is $290,600, with median monthly rent at $1,463 and a homeownership rate of 72.9%.
The median age in Chester, Virginia is 41.2 years. The population is 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
More from Virginia
Population 457,066
Population 251,153
Population 235,463
Population 235,037
Population 227,595
Full rankings of Virginia cities by population
Statewide data for Virginia
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Virginia
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.